The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced a $10 million “quick release” fund for Vermont's flood-damaged infrastructure, aiming to restore essential transportation across the state. The Vermont Agency of Transportation can use the funds to offset costs incurred by last month’s severe flooding in Vermont, according to an Aug. 11 news release.
"I saw firsthand the devastating effects of extreme flooding on people and businesses in Vermont, and increasingly frequent climate disasters have wreaked havoc on more and more American communities," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. "This emergency funding will help the people of Vermont repair critical infrastructure as we continue working to support Vermonters in their efforts to recover and rebuild."
These initial “quick release” funds are part of an ongoing effort to restore essential transportation, with more support expected to come from the Emergency Relief program through nationwide funding allocations, the release reported.
The catastrophic flash flooding that occurred across much of Vermont starting July 7, resulted in extensive damage, the release said. The most severe impact took place due to heavy rainfall between July 10 and 11, which led President Joe Biden to approve an emergency declaration for the state July 11.
“The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with VTrans to provide the necessary resources to restore essential transportation links," FHWA Shailen Bhatt said in the release. "The quick release funding we are providing will help get those repairs done as soon as possible so people can get back to their daily lives.”
The funds will support a range of urgent repairs, including the clearing of mud and rockslides, opening plugged culverts, repairing eroded shoulders and more. Additionally, the release mentioned FHWA's ongoing collaboration with Vermont, providing funding for innovative tools such as portable electronic devices and GIS mapping to aid in disaster response.
In recent years, the FHWA has also approved alternate contracting methods by VTrans, enabling the state to rapidly deploy contractors for repairs. This multifaceted support is seen as instrumental in Vermont's efforts to recover and rebuild its transportation system following the devastating floods, according to the release.
The announcement represents a crucial step in Vermont's recovery process, signaling both immediate support and a continued partnership between federal and state agencies to restore and enhance the resilience of the state’s transportation infrastructure, the release said.
